Activism
Sunday morning, a time to recover after Saturday. But this morning, a message arrived in our Instagram: “Hello, I am from Gaza, can you help?” After a short correspondence, we learned that it was Amen Qudeh writing, a 17-year-old teenager from the Gaza Strip who lives in a camp tent with his parents and two sisters. When asked how we could help, he answered simply: “I need food and water.” Following this, we contacted him by phone and conducted a brief blitz-interview — Amen’s English is not very strong. Below, we share his story with you.
— What does your typical day look like now, and how much does it differ from before?
— Before the war, my day was completely different. I would wake up early, wash up, have breakfast, and go to school. Now, I wake up and go anywhere just to find food for my family. That is the most important thing.
— Do you have electricity now, and if so, for how many hours a day?
— No, unfortunately, the electrical grids are destroyed. We charge our phones for money from people who have solar power.
— How do you solve the water issue — is there enough for drinking and domestic needs?
— Obtaining water every day is very difficult — I walk 700 meters on foot to collect it.
— Where do you usually cook food, and which products are currently most available?
— We cook food next to my tent, and most often we eat canned food.
— Are local shops or markets open nearby, and what can usually be found there?
— Yes, there are many markets here now, but everything depends on money; even though there are many products at the markets.
— Have you received humanitarian aid recently, and how helpful was it?
— Yes, I received only a small amount of humanitarian aid. It was truly good.
— Are there products or items that now seem like a real luxury?
— Yes, there are many products, but the prices for them are very high.
— How do people share food and supplies or exchange them?
— Yes, I have tried to receive money from abroad, donations; with them I cook food for my brothers here and help them. I have photos if you want to see.
— Can you move freely around your area, or do you try to stay inside most of the time?
— I prefer not to leave the tent because I live by the sea. There are many military boats belonging to the army there.
— Are there places where people feel relatively safe?
— Brother, there is no safe place in Gaza.
— How do you know when it’s best to stay home and when it’s okay to go outside?
— I prefer to go out in the morning because I go to classes. I am in my final year of high school. I am trying to become an engineer for the sake of Gaza and its future.
— How stable is the internet or mobile connection?
— The internet is very bad most of the time because the occupation bombs the communication towers.
— How do you stay in touch with family and friends?
— I am only 17 years old, I live with my family, I am their sole breadwinner, and I am the only son — besides me, there are two daughters in the family.
— What do you do when the connection disappears for a long time?
— I do nothing, I just wait for it to return.
— Have relationships between people changed — do you feel more solidarity around you?
— Relationships between people haven’t changed; on the contrary — the bonds between people have become stronger.
— What helps you most emotionally these days?
— Nothing, because I remember my friends whom the occupation killed in the war. I cried for them every day before going to sleep.
— Is there something small and ordinary that helps you keep going?
— I drink tea and listen to music about Palestine.
— Are you able to sleep normally?
— No, I don’t sleep and I don’t feel relief because I am not in my own place; brother, I live in a camp, and they completely destroyed my home and also took my land.
— What does “rest” mean to you now?
— There is no rest in Gaza, brother.
— What do you think about most when things become quiet around you?
— Most of all, I think about my friends and loved ones I lost in the war. I always cry.
— What would you like people outside of Gaza to understand about daily life here?
— We only want the people outside of Gaza to support us and bring our voice to the whole world — that we deserve a dignified life.
— Is there a question you wish you were asked?
— Yes, I have several questions, but the most important one is — I have a fundraising campaign to evacuate from Gaza and get an education to become an engineer. I hope that you will publish my campaign to help reach this goal, please.
Nottoday does not fundamentally refuse help to those who ask for it. To contact Amen, write to him on Instagram.